Texas confirms second West Nile case

Rachael Gleason | rgleason@mrt.com

Published 11:15 am, Sunday, July 14, 2013

Photo: Michael Szyska

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(File Photo) In this photo provided by the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District, lab assistant Carter Sharp sorts mosquitoes Thursday, July 26, 2012, in Wheeling, Ill., that were collected from Chicago's northwest suburbs for West Nile virus testing. Illinois already has seen at least two human West Nile virus infections this year, more than a month earlier than usual. The rate of infected mosquitoes in the state is the highest in a decade and higher than in 2002 when 67 people died. Health officials say the hot, dry weather is a factor. (AP Photo/Courtesy the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District, Michael Szyska) less

(File Photo) In this photo provided by the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District, lab assistant Carter Sharp sorts mosquitoes Thursday, July 26, 2012, in Wheeling, Ill., that were collected from Chicago's ... more

Photo: Michael Szyska

Texas confirms second West Nile case

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Coming off a West Nile season for the books, officials are urging Midlanders to focus on preventative measures this summer.

About 40 percent of West Nile cases reported last year to the Center for the Disease Control came from Texas, which confirmed its second statewide case this week.

Two residents in Midland and Andrews counties died last year, and a total of seven humans and animals tested positive for either the West Nile neuroinvasive disease or fever in Midland, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

The Permian Basin likely will start seeing cases by the end of July, but there’s no way to forecast the season’s severity, said Kathy Parker, zoonosis control specialist for the Texas Department of Health.

“Just because we had a busy season last year doesn’t mean we will this season,” Parker said.

Health manager Sal Garcia, with the city’s Health and Senior Services, said the region’s dry conditions could help keep the mosquito population in check this year.

The National Weather Service predicts above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation levels for West Texas through September, according to climate prediction maps. Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 101 today.

Still, Parker said sprinklers and summer watering could pose problems.

“We have a lot of artificial watering, so there’s always the potential for the development of mosquitos in and around human populations,” she said. “You create hotspots anytime you leave standing water.”

Parker advises residents to be diligent about dumping out that water, which could end up in anything: flower pots, abandoned tires, bird baths or kids’ toys.

Both Parker, who conducts surveillance programs and tests in 36 West Texas counties, and Garcia urge residents to call the local health department if they find areas with adult mosquitos or mosquito larvae.

Local spraying takes coordination -- it can only been done by trained professionals at morning or night and if the wind isn’t blowing more than 12 miles per hour -- but anyone can file a request for vector control, or “fogging,” in their neighborhood, Garcia said.

“Our best strategy is to go by complaints,” he said.

City officials have additional suggestions for residents: Keep weeds and grass cut, wear long sleeves and pants in the evenings and wear repellent to prevent bites.

Of the cases Parker encountered, no one who contracted West Nile wore repellent, one of the four ‘D’s of preventing bites: drain water, dress in long sleeves and pants, stay indoors from dusk to dawn and use DEET.